SCC: First Impressions

In the first TY session of the year pupils were given their timetables and told what to expect and how best to benefit from TY. We flagged up the new blog and spoke about our hope that by the year's end every TY pupil would have contributed a piece. Mr. Jones invited the new members of the form to volunteer to write a 'first impressions' piece and Anna v. Schintling was the valiant soul who raised her hand. Her thoughts are below. 

I was excited to come to the college because I've always wanted to go to a boarding school. The days before I came here I thought a lot about what to pack and what the people probably might be like.

When I arrived I was warmly welcomed by the kids who had been here before. I was shown around by one of the seniors. She showed me where I was supposed to live for the coming year.  I really liked my room from the first moment. I unpacked my things and went to listen to the Warden’s speech.

The first school day was very exciting because I wasn’t sure where I was supposed to go and what my classes were but the “older” pupils of this place showed me where to go.

Everything was so new to me, the campus and all the other people.

So far I really like the school and I have settled in quickly. All the people are really kind and are helping wherever they can. I enjoy life at St. Columba’s College so far which is pretty much what I expected.

Collecting for AWARE

A report from intrepid collector Siobhán Brady on her experience of helping raise money for Aware's annual Daisy Days:

Each year, Transition Year pupils spend a lot of their time taking part in fundraising for different charities. This year, our first event was for the charity AWARE. This charity helps people deal with depression.  I was in the first group to go fundraising on Grafton Street.

So on Thursday 15 September, Dearbhala Gernon, Harry Johnson, Melchior de Preville and I set out at 8:15 a.m. in the mini-bus to the Luas station in Dundrum, driven by Willie Gibbs. When we got into town on the Luas, a man from AWARE met us outside the St. Stephen's Green centre, armed with green boxes containing different coloured bracelets (which took us all of ten minutes to learn how to put on!) and bright yellow teeshirts which had the slogan "Daisy Days. Help AWARE to defeat depression" on them. 

We were immediately faced with competition from the Transition Year students of Terneure College who were collecting for Our Lady's Hospice. But, undaunted, we trooped down Grafton Street asking the same question over and over: "Would you like to buy a bracelet for AWARE?"

Some people were very generous, giving up to €20! Some were not so friendly but all of us kept a smile on our faces and wished them a nice day! Our hands and legs were sore from standing holding boxes which seemed to be  getting heavier and heavier over the three hours we were there, but it was all for a good cause.

At twelve o'clock, we signed off our names at the main desk and gave our boxes back to the man from AWARE. We got the Luas back to Windy Arbour where Mr Coldrick cheerfully met us and drove us back to school

I think this was a very worthwhile day. I liked the idea  of putting one new person in each group so we got to know each other better. My attitude has now completely changed towards anyone collecting for a charity on the streets of Dublin as I know how much it means to the collector when someone stops to donate with a smile on their face!

Mentoring Groups

Each Transition Year pupil is assigned to a mentoring group headed by a member of staff who will supervise and advise the pupils thoughout the course of the year. Having met as a whole form in the first week, these smaller groups have been meeting during this past week and have exchanged ideas and become familiar with each other.

Pupils are encouraged to set themselves academic, extra-curricular and personal goals and their mentor will advise and support them in these aspirations. Each pupil will organise and collate a folder containing details of activities engaged in during the year. This will provide a permanent record of achievment. They will all be encouraged to contribute to, and hence take a lot from their own individual Transition Year.

Junior Certificate Results Celebrations

Last Wednesday, members of the Transition Year received their Junior Certificate results. That afternoon, the pupils celebrated their fine achievements with a day out in Dublin - giving the new pupils to the school a chance to bond with their new classmates and to see a little bit of the city. Sadhbh Sheeran gives us a low-down on what took place.

We received our results at 12.30pm on Wednesday the 14th of September and like everyone else who were to collect their results I was absolutely terrified. But within the hour we were all, both those who had sat their Junior Cert in June and those who hadn’t, boarding a bus and heading out of the school towards the Dublin docks to celebrate the end of three years' work! 

On arriving at the Poolbeg yacht club we were bundled into waterproofs that resembled something between the stereotypical fisherman’s outfit and a Santa suit! Donning life jackets, we were split into groups - those of us who would brave the rougher boat and those of you who would prefer the more gentle covered boat! I chose the rough boat!! 

We were guided to 3 boats, 2 ribs and a covered safer-looking boat! Those who had opted for the less adventurous boating experience boarded the latter, only to find it would not start and so were instructed to remain on shore for the time being and they would go out after we returned. The rest of us piled into the ribs and set off, bouncing across the waves. About five hundred metres out we collided with what was apparently a lobster pot, although I have to say it didn’t look much like one to me. The engine cut out and would not restart so we had to be towed back to the docks by the other rib! 

We had soon boarded a covered boat and set off once again! As we came round the coastline we saw landmarks such as the Aviva Stadium , Howth Head, Dalkey Island (pictured above) and Bono’s house. There were seals sitting on the rocks on Dalkey island. For some of the people on my boat it was their first time seeing seals and they were utterly intrigued! As we came round Dalkey Island we encountered another problem, the other boat, the only rib left, was having some trouble picking up speed so to be on the safe side the passengers from that boat came and joined us for the journey back to the docks. 

Arriving safely back on dry land we were met by Mr. Sherwood and the remainder of our year, who had been to the Dublin Eye while we were out in the boats. They then boarded the boat and we set off toward the Dublin Eye. I had never been on the Dublin Eye before so was very excited. From the top we could see right out into the harbour and around Dublin - a sight of the city I had never seen before! 

On returning to the club house we were reunited with the rest of our year and had some supper. Then it was back on the bus and off to Dundrum Cinema where Mr. Sherwood had booked us the V.I.P seats to see the movie Friends With Benefits, a romantic comedy, that everyone enjoyed, even the boys who loathed to admit liking anything with Justin Timberlake in it! 

As we were leaving the cinema we passed other people also celebrating results night but I have to say I wouldn’t have rather spent my day any other way! I would like to thank Mr. Sherwood who put much effort into organising the expedition for us and to Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Clarke and Ms. Baker who accompanied us. 

Photos of the trip to follow shortly.

It's Installations Time of Year!

On the second day of term the Warden installed the new team of college prefects in chapel. There are more prefects than usual this year and this is mainly because they are a terrific form.

This Sunday at Matins (by the way directly after Dawn Walk no. 1 see here) six new fellows of the college will also be installed. The fellows are equivalent to governors in other schools and have a really important role in decisions to do with the future of the college. There are some really excellent individuals joining this body and all of us at Serpents & Doves wish them well - and if there are any fellows reading who better to ask about life as a pupil in the college than a member of TY? Now there's an invite.

But really getting to the point of this post. In TY in the last days we have had our own installation. Yes the six members of this term's TY Tuck Shop Co-Op have been appointed. All they need to do now is to brush up on their 8 x tables...(that's one for the Maths Dept.)

The tuck shop at SCC uses profits to pay its workers, make contributions to charity appeals within school and also provides funds for sporting facilities around the college. Working there helps your inter-personal skills, trains you to work under pressure, improves your multi-tasking and in general gives a really good insight into the world of retail.

There will be plenty of opportunities for other members of TY to gain the whirlwind of experience that comes from being a St. Columba's confectionery clerk you just need to approach Mr Swift if keen.

And the successful applicants are: S. Freney (Glen), B. Dickerson (Stackallan), T. McLarn (Stackallan), S. Sheeran (Hollypark), M. Buckingham (Beresford) and S.Beeby (Beresford). Well done chaps and remember 80c + 80c + 80c = €2.40!

Aware Collections Underway

The first charitable component of the TY Programme begins in earnest today with our long standing involvement with the annual collection for Aware. Aware is Ireland's leading N.G.O. concerned with helping those who suffer from depression and is committed to breaking the stigma that too often surrounds it. 

TY members make sure you're aware (unintended pun) of when and where you're collecting and that you're clear on the arrangements for travel to and from your allotted stomping ground. 

Our pupils will be collecting over today and tomorrow in both Grafton St. in the city centre and more locally in Knocklyon shopping centre. So if you see some young serpentish doves shaking a collection box give generously - it would help a lot. 

TY Columbans have raised thousands of € every year for over a decade and even though we are living in ever straitened times we're sure this year will be no exception.

Here's a link to the Aware homepage.

Dawn Walks Begin, Oh Yes!

Sania He on last year's Dawn Walk to the Lead Mines and Carrickgollogan

Many of last year's TY garnered great enjoyment from going for walks in interesting locations around Dublin at silly o'clock. So we've decided to get this voluntary activity up and running again. What's the big idea? Well these rambles will take place on Sunday mornings when there is a Matins service. All boarders will be in the college on the Saturday night so they might as well get up and at it on Sunday morning.

TY walkers will have stretched their legs, seen beautiful scenery and appreciated the best part of the day and will still be back in time for a late-ish breakfast and a quick change for chapel. The walks won't be long or terribly strenuous but they will score highly on the satisfaction rating. It's really more about an attitude that's positive and life affirming!

So sign up, there's a notice on the TY board and as with all good events places are limited...

This Sunday we're climbing Bray Head and will be led by a local boy, the teacher with the north Wicklow brogue, Mr. O'Shaughnessy.

Click here for an account of a previous Dawn Walk on the college website.